Everybody who has been involved in the pool scene for more than a minute knows that "business" can happen in a money match. All this thread does is remind us of that fact. I don't know what other purpose it serves.
I've done a lot of side betting on matches (for quite a bit more than I will bet online) and staked numerous players. What you learn over the years is to pick your spots and pick your players carefully. It's like anything else in life. "Let the buyer beware." How many rich and famous people lost millions investing with Bernie Madoff and Allen Stanford? They got dumped too, BIG TIME!
Years ago I was buying into some real estate limited partnerships. Shares were 10K each. I bought into several deals and they went okay. Usually the properties got sold within two years and we would make 40-50% return on our money. On one deal, after it was over the general partner was very slow to pay the limited partners. He kept asking everyone to reinvest our money with him. I didn't have a good feeling about this guy and called his office and asked to get my money (three months after the sale closed). He kept stalling me.
I finally went to his office and waited to see him for two hours. He finally opened the door to tell his secretary something and I walked right in. I sat down at his desk and told him I was there to get my money (over 14K). He told me not to worry, it was coming. I told him I was going to sit right there until I got it - TODAY! We had a slightly heated exchange where I told him in no uncertain terms that I was not interested in reinvesting with him. I made it very clear I was tired of waiting for my money and I wanted it today, and I wasn't leaving until I got it.
Guess what - I GOT PAID! Later on I heard many of the partners got stiffed and just took a tax write-off. They were a lot wealthier than me. I didn't need the write-off. I needed the cash. My point being is that there are all kinds of "dump artists" and some of them wear suits and don't play pool.
I pray even a fraction of this type of knowledge is in your next book, Mister Helfert! We all wait with bated breath. The study of human moves :smile: